The Anna & Bel is a beautiful boutique hotel, but unfortunately our experience did not come close…read moreto justifying the $3,500 we spent for a three-night stay.
The positives first: the hotel is beautifully designed, our first dinner at Bastia was excellent, and the bed in our original room was very comfortable.
Unfortunately, almost everything else fell short.
Our stay started on an odd note when the front desk asked if we needed help with our luggage. When we politely declined, the employee loudly replied, "Thank God." It was an unprofessional first impression.
Our first room was not what we expected. We booked what we believed was a one-level suite, but instead were assigned a room accessed only by a narrow, steep staircase leading to what felt like an attic. We later learned it's better to call the hotel directly because the online room descriptions can be misleading.
The biggest issue with that room was that it had no blackout curtains over two large windows in the sitting area. Bright exterior lights poured into the room all night, making it nearly impossible to sleep.
The next morning, Ryan kindly moved us to another room on the first floor overlooking the courtyard and "spool." While we appreciated the effort, it was clearly a downgrade from what we originally booked.
Unfortunately, the replacement room wasn't properly cleaned. After dropping an earring, I used my phone flashlight and found black hair, dust, and dirt all over the floor. I reported it immediately to the manager.
The most disappointing part of our stay was the hotel's second anniversary celebration. We were initially told guests were invited, but when we returned that evening, the entire courtyard and bar had been roped off as a private employee event. At over $1,000 per night, it was frustrating to lose access to the hotel's primary outdoor space so the hotel could host its own party. Even the complimentary guest water station had been moved inside the private event.
Later that evening, several employees came outside near our patio and began smoking what smelled like marijuana before quickly going back inside after noticing us. It was incredibly unprofessional.
Service throughout the stay was inconsistent. Some employees were friendly and helpful, while others seemed annoyed by guests.
This hotel also isn't ideal for anyone looking for a quiet boutique experience. Although the rooms include mushroom gummies, intimacy products, and a full bar, which suggests an adult-focused atmosphere, it was filled with young children screaming in the tiny spool throughout the day. That's obviously not the hotel's fault if they allow children, but it wasn't the atmosphere we expected.
Another disappointment was the wine program. At dinner our bottle was served noticeably warm, and later we purchased a $150 bottle from the hotel bar that was also warm and tasted oxidized. We regularly drink this wine and know how it should taste, making us question how their wine is being stored.
Our second night's sleep was even worse. The queen bed and pillows were uncomfortable, upstairs guests were extremely noisy for hours, and at 6:30 a.m. employees began loudly dragging metal patio furniture across the courtyard. After being woken up by hotel staff, coffee wasn't even available until 7:00 a.m.
On Friday night, the courtyard remained crowded and noisy until nearly 11:00 p.m., despite being told it closed at 10:00. Since our room faced the courtyard, the noise carried directly inside. We were never warned that our room would be subject to restaurant, bar and courtyard noise.
For the amount we paid, I expected exceptional hospitality, attention to detail, and a relaxing stay. Instead, we received a downgraded room, cleanliness issues, inconsistent service, poor sleep, and lost access to one of the hotel's primary guest amenities during a private staff event. No adjustment to our bill was offered.
Anna & Bel is undeniably beautiful, but beautiful décor alone doesn't justify luxury pricing. At over $1,000 per night, the experience simply wasn't worth it. If you're visiting Fishtown, I'd recommend renting a nice VRBO instead and enjoying the fantastic restaurants in the neighborhood while avoiding the disappointment we experienced.
